Speeding up after cameras switch-off
* Two sites in Oxfordshire tested * Speeding is up from usual stats * Need more time to analyse, says council...
Speeding has increased by up to 88% in a county where speed cameras have been axed.
Fixed speed cameras were deactivated in Oxfordshire because of budget cuts, however radar equipment was left in some locations.
Data from these cameras has revealed that speeding has increased by 88% in some locations, according to Thames Valley Safer Road Partnership.
The tests were carried out in Watlington Road, Cowley, and the A44 in Woodstock between Thursday-Monday.
In Cowley, 62 people were clocked speeding representing a rise of 88% compared with when fixed speed cameras were in operation the partnership revealed.
In Woodstock, 110 drivers were caught exceeding the 30mph limit, which is 18% more than the average for 2010.
More research needed
Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said the test had only been completed at two sites out of a possible 72, and over a period of just five days.
'You need a much longer look at the statistics before we can decide whether there is an increase in danger or not', he told the BBC.
'Unless the funding from the Government comes back, I think there is little chance of us being able to fund this, relative to the other priorities we have.'
